Healthy Snacks

According to Doctor David Heber, chairman of the Herbalife Scientific and Nutrition Advisory Board, most western people eat far more than they need to, which leads to  consuming excessive calories and gaining weight. Sadly, most people choose sugar and fat containing snacks, which lead to all sorts of weight-related problems. If you must snack, choose nuts, soups and protein bars over simple carbohydrate snacks.

Protein sends the right message to your brain which helps you to be satisfied for longer. Clinical research has proven this and you are welcome to test this hypothesis yourself. Eat a protein rich snack and observe how long you are satiated for. Now eat a chelsea bun and do the same test. Hands down, the protein snack will win.

Protein burns more calories while you digest it than fats and sugars. This is referred to as the metabolic tax or thermogenic effect. Your body consumes more energy to break down protein and using more energy means burning more calories. This is a double bonus as protein is less calorie intense than fats and sugars are.

Your body needs to replenish muscle and the best way to do this is with protein. You need muscle to perform your daily tasks and protein stimulates your metabolism. Lean muscle mass translates into a faster metabolism. Grab a handful of nuts, or some soup or a protein rich snack instead of cookies, when next you feel peckish.